Maybe this thread will serve as a reminder to those that don't think it's important to have good buyer representation. 

I reminded him several times that not only am I a CPA, but I also worked (at the time) as a Financial Analyst for a publicly held firm. 

i'd tell the agent you need more information. ask if you could get on a videocall with them and the seller & say you'd be happy to sign whatever disclosures prior to that if needed. remind them you will not be using a buyers agent and are comfortable with them representing both of you with their responsibility laying with the seller. you need to know about the existing debt (amount, monthly pmt, interest rate, maturity date), and what ONE thing would be most important to them between purchase price, size of monthly payments on the seller carry, interest on the seller carry, if there's a balloon payment or not & when, and down payment. they should pick the one thing that's most important, MAYBE a second thing, then you can work the rest of the terms around that.

Kind of reminds me of the kids story about the couple who lived in a shack on the beach.

But stories like these remind me that it is very possible and keeps me motivated.

For buy and hold, I sometimes remind myself for a single family property I only need one customer at a time.

Perseverance is key and stories like this help to remind us this.  

You just reminded me that I was going to bump this thread a few days ago.I am an aspiring investor who grew up in Tucson, but am currently living in San Francisco.

As you make connections, build some rapport, then check in every other week to remind them you exist and what you're looking for.Hope this helps.

This reminds me of what Robert Kiyosaki says when when people ask him if real estate is a good investment and he replies, "it depends, are you a good investor."